Ad Disclosure
After a strong Week 1, the B1G followed it up with a lackluster Week 2. Ohio State looked like a non-playoff team against the Oklahoma Sooners, the Michigan Wolverines struggled for a bit against the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights lost at home against the Eastern Michigan Eagles. So, with that said, Here are 10 things I’m overreacting to after Week 2 in and around the B1G.
1. Ohio State is far away from a playoff team
As our own Connor O’Gara pointed out in his game piece from the Ohio State-Oklahoma battle, the Buckeyes are far away from a playoff team this season. And I have to agree with Connor.
The offense looked lackluster against a rebuilding Sooner defense and the defense could not stop Baker Mayfield from passing all over them. And Mayfield will be the best quarterback Ohio State faces this season.
It is still early in the year, but Ohio State does not look like a playoff team this season.
2. Penn State looks like the class of the B1G
While Ohio State struggled, Penn State looked like they will be the king of the B1G this season.
The Nittany Lions absolutely demolished the Akron Zips and got revenge against Pitt Panthers this past weekend. If Penn State keeps up its dominant play, it could easily go undefeated heading into the College Football Playoffs.
3. Michigan looks like a four loss team
The Wolverines played the Cincinnati Bearcats this past Saturday, and they struggled for a bit. At one point, Michigan only led by three points. However, a big fourth quarter made it seem like a convincing win.
The Maize and Blue still have the likes of Maryland, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin of its schedule. If the Wolverines struggle like they did against Cincinnati against those four teams, they will ultimately finish with four losses.
4. Rutgers….is terrible
This one pains me to say, but Rutgers…you are still bad.
After hanging with the Washington Huskies in Week 1, the Scarlet Knights were set to take on the Eastern Michigan Eagles, who were suppose to be an easy win. However, Rutgers lost 16-13. So, with this loss, it signals it will be another long season for the Scarlet Knights.
FINAL: Eastern Michigan 16, Rutgers 13
This marks @EMUFB‘s first ever win over a B1G opponent! #FR4REAL #MACtion pic.twitter.com/Z4H4yqqH34
— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 9, 2017
5. What has happened to J.T. Barrett?
Remember when J.T. Barrett was a Heisman contender. Well, you can throw out that notion out the window after his performance against Oklahoma.
Barrett was ineffective. He only averaged 5.2 yards per completion and tossed an interception against the Sooners. Barrett also finished with a 21.1 quarterback rating. If Ohio State wants to succeed this year, it will need the Barrett of old to return.
6. Iowa actually has a passing game
The Hawkeyes enter the season with multiple questions about their passing game. Against the Wyoming Cowboys in Week 1, game Nathan Stanley looked OK for Iowa. However, in Week 2 against in-state rival the Iowa State Cyclones, Stanley made it look like Iowa will have a decent passing game this year.
Against the Cyclones, Stanley threw for 333 yards and five touchdowns in route to a 44-41 OT victory. If the Hawkeyes can get that type of performance week in, week out from Stanley, they will have a pretty decent passing attack this year.
7. Northwestern will struggle to make a bowl
Entering the season, Northwestern was predicted to be one of the B1G best teams. But after its Duke game, that does not seem possible.
The Wildcats struggled to score and stop the Blue Devils from scoring as they lost 41-17. Plus, in the opening week, Northwestern struggled to beat Nevada. If the Wildcats keep this up, they might not reach 6-6 this year.
8. Indiana has a quarterback battle
Richard Lagow threw for over 400 yards against the Ohio State Buckeyes in Week 1. But against the Virginia Cavaliers in Week 2, he struggled and then replaced by freshman Peyton Ramsey.
Ramsey looked good against Virginia. When he entered the game in the second quarter, Ramsey gave a spark to a struggling Indiana offense. The freshman threw two touchdowns and scored once in the run game. After his effective performance, it looks like coach Tom Allen and company have a quarterback battle on their hands.
9. Nebraska’s defense might by a bottom-5 unit at the end of the year
Oh where have the Blackshirts have gone? No really, where have they gone?
In the first two weeks of the season, Nebraska’s defense have allowed Arkansas State and Oregon to score 36 and 42 points respectively.
The B1G has some high-powered offenses. If the Cornhusker keep playing with this lackluster defense, it could turn out to be one of the bottom-5 defenses in the country.
10. Ty Johnson might be a Heisman darkhorse
Yes, Maryland did play Towson, a FCS team, this past Saturday. However, running back Ty Johnson looked like a stud once again.
After a strong showing against Texas in Week 1, Johnson ran for 124 yards and a touchdown on five carries against Towson. If he keeps up this play, he could emerge as a Heisman candidate as the season progresses.